tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268746983441346507.post4480895576150936513..comments2024-02-21T02:19:16.755-08:00Comments on Widow's Voice: Seven Widowed Voices Sharing Love, Loss, and Hope : There is a Huge Difference .....Michele Neff Hernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356589209090780127noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268746983441346507.post-42641578656032120112011-06-19T06:24:45.884-07:002011-06-19T06:24:45.884-07:00What a great post Janine. I, too, feel like I am ...What a great post Janine. I, too, feel like I am constantly at battle with life. The last seven years have been battle after battle and I realize it will never stop until I stop breathing. I enjoy the repreives when they come and I breath and take care of myself. Please take care of yourself, Janine. <br />signed,<br />WW<br />Widowed Warrior<br />PS - For What its Worth - some unsolisited advise with the RA - diet can be a big factor. I have a couple of girlfriends with RA and they have held it at bay by eliminating wheat and sugar.widowsquaredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08590978904437843995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268746983441346507.post-10190783527644473592011-06-15T18:16:25.763-07:002011-06-15T18:16:25.763-07:00You certainly have had more than your share, and t...You certainly have had more than your share, and thank you for sharing with us. I believe that physical illness is an outcome of the stress and emotional pain and having to sustain the grief and in some cases long periods of caregiving preceding our loved ones' passing. I'm surprised I'm alive at all, because during the caregiving years I had a few times when I didn't think I would make it. Then, after he passed, I had to make a choice every morning, "do I want to live, or do I want to die?" It was the fact that I am a mother that kept me choosing life. When children lose one parent, tag you're it. Last summer, 8 months after he passed, I made a Dr. appointment. I had a few minor issues, but drew the short straw on my mammo (first one in three years, I literally had no time to take care of myself). I went through a stressful period of finding out what the diagnosis was, fortunately no cancer, but now have to be checked more often. Last summer I didn't care very much. This summer I do care, and hope to hear good news when I go for checkups, so I see that as progress. Arthritis is a condition that can start from extreme stress. But you're right, we are still standing, we are being kept around for something. Life is choosing us, and expecting us to give back to it. Plus we have kids to consider. It's all incredibly hard, but here we are. So fortunate to have this space to share and support one another.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268746983441346507.post-14149129317360791032011-06-15T14:53:49.962-07:002011-06-15T14:53:49.962-07:00Thank you Janine for your words of encouragement. ...Thank you Janine for your words of encouragement. I do want to give up many days and many days I do not care if I lose the war. But then you are there telling all of us to keep fighting and collectively through inspirational posts like this one, we won't give up. How true that I am also very proud to fight alongside all the widows and widowers and especially those that visit this blog site.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268746983441346507.post-66698545113221051472011-06-15T06:58:03.782-07:002011-06-15T06:58:03.782-07:00The timing of these posts are never ever off. I c...The timing of these posts are never ever off. I can always relate...it's amazingly helpful to know I am not alone. My latest battle 7 months after losing him is an enlarged Thyroid. After 2 1/2 years of Charles sickness...I cannot be sick. I'm still in the diagnosis phase...I only got the call on the results of an echo yesterday so now I have to do more tests. I am not scared, which is the new me, the old me would have been terrified. But I am young, healthy, and I don't fear the worst outcome. But our boys are only and 5 and 10 and I am so sick of the enemy giving us new challenges to live through. I just scream at him to go away on the inside while I sit serenely in front of my children so that they can continue their grief. I too am battling remodeling contractors. The battles are very hard but the way I see it, it's a win-win to stay or go. I envy those that get to go;BUT, I'm in no hurry to join them. Life is too precious. War on....bring it! Thank you for the post Janine...beautifully said.KitKathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17590252379526367525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268746983441346507.post-1748820498507676532011-06-15T03:46:17.667-07:002011-06-15T03:46:17.667-07:00I definately agree with the battles. I think what ...I definately agree with the battles. I think what makes this harder is that we are fighting alone without a life partner, while grieving. Some of my battles are the same as yours, child giving me a difficult time, remodeling issues and I add taking care of a second home that had been my mother in laws. Being treated unfairly at work, being the veteran TA there, fighting the fight for myself and others for fair pay/ treatment. I won't give up either, because I am here getting to live a life- no matter how much a part of me feels empty and hurt without my love. I also refuse to believe that there will not be someone else. There will be in time, but just different when it is the right time. To give up would be to live without hope- done enough of that! So I choose to live with hope that eventually thr struggles will get easier and there will be some reward!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268746983441346507.post-55263528696419588032011-06-15T02:25:22.990-07:002011-06-15T02:25:22.990-07:00Thanks for sharing your heart. I told my husband (...Thanks for sharing your heart. I told my husband (I had that chance) to don't worry because he would be OK with our Lord and we'll be, too... So, my battle is and will be to honor that promise I made, missing him every day, minute, second of my life but trying to make life happening...for me and my children who are in the university and have a complete life ahead of them.<br />It's so dificult but it's the only way to still alive and honor him, our love of 23 years! <br />I also wait on God to be with me in every battle!Karla K.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1268746983441346507.post-72488417814811716142011-06-15T02:17:20.772-07:002011-06-15T02:17:20.772-07:00You are amazing!!!You are amazing!!!MandyMyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17240780404158138417noreply@blogger.com